PS4 will Use Voice Recognition for Navigation, Sony Confirms | TechTree.com

PS4 will Use Voice Recognition for Navigation, Sony Confirms

Unlike the Xbox One Kinect, this will be an optional extra.

 

After enough hue and cry over Microsoft's much-maligned Eye of Sauron, otherwise known as the Xbox One Kinect sensor, Sony has confirmed to Polygon that the PlayStation 4 will have voice control. This functionality will be provided by the PlayStation Camera, which can additionally enable other feats such as facial recognition. "Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that PlayStation Camera allows for voice recognition and we will look forward to sharing more details in the lead up to the launch of PlayStation 4 on November 29", was the brief given by a Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) spokesperson confirming the news.

The feature was revealed during Sony's presentation at the recent GameStop Expo 2013 in Las Vegas. While addressing the retail staff at the event, SCEA's Sean Coleman highlighted the voice control capability while outlining the features of the upcoming console. The laundry list of features chronicled in the lengthy retail presentation captured by YouTube user lex1020 includes this interesting tidbit, "From navigational voice commands to facial recognition, the PlayStation Camera adds incredible innovation to your gaming".

The accessory is a black bar with two cameras embedded within it. The stereoscopic lens arrangement points to a Kinect-esque motion control capability. "The new stereoscopic lenses track your body movements in games or even recognize your face easier system navigation", said Coleman while elaborating on the camera's possible applications in game as well as the console UI.



Unlike the rather intrusive Kinect sensor, the PlayStation Camera will be an optional extra that won't be forced upon gamers. Needless to say, you need the camera for these features as Coleman explains, "When you add the PlayStation camera into the mix, the pair works together to expand upon system features and enhance your PlayStation 4 experience".

Enabling these features will add $50 to the $400 price of the console. The optional nature of the accessory might also impact the integration into games by developer. At any rate, at least gamers have the choice of opting out, which isn't a luxury potential Xbox One users can afford. Well, that is until Microsoft decides to backtrack on that decision again. The PS4 will launch on 15th and 29th November in USA and Europe, respectively. The Indian launch has been promised to happen within the year as well.


TAGS: Gaming, Sony, PlayStation

 
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